Japanese Earthquake Leading to Shortages of iPod Batteries

[wizard]

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What a stupid statement. Are you aware that Apple is an American company? So is Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, GE and other world-leading companies.

What's your alternative? Can you even name more than one world-class Chinese company?

*rolls eyes*

Yeah buddy I am. Are you aware that on every Apple Device it says "DESIGNED IN CALIFORNIA, ASSEMBLED IN CHINA."

There is a reason we do not build these products and it has been well covered through this thread. Can you name any good products made by those companies that you mentioned, that are actually built in the US. You know America SUCKS at making products when we need the media to convince us of this fact. Just watch TV, you do not see Apple advertising that they make there products in China, but you do see a bunch of other companies that slap a "Made in the USA" label gain Patriot approval. I avoid those products and save my money for products that have better quality; I dont innately hate american products, but experience has proved that they are inferior to build qualities of other nations.

You really don't know what you are talking about. Many American businesses are world class. That doesn't include 2/3rds of the American auto industry sadly but GM made a management decision to sell crap and Chrysler never did sell anything of quality. However just because one industry is less than stellar it doesn't mean all are.

I'm not sure where you are on this planet but where I'm at we export a great deal of stuff to the rest of the world. Some of it even consumer level.

A wise person shops with an open mind. You seem to have closed yours and thus send all your dollars over seas. Sad really.

 

[MacbookSwitcher]

Well, the US spends 20 billion a year on agriculture subsidies as well, so we're in about the same boat. At least Japan uses agriculture subsidies to support small farmers. We use them to support DelMonte.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_subsidy

Sorry, there is no comparison. US agriculture does not have anywhere near the level of protectionism as Japanese agriculture. Nor does any US industry, with the exception of defense contractors.

And what makes you think a small farmer is somehow superior to DelMonte?

 

[blow45]

Right I get that, and thats the point. On the military note does any country spend/waste more money than us on our armed forces. Not even close.

The arms dealers run the US, pretty much, if one is a cynic here. And it's not only the money spent on them, it's the havoc they wreak worldwide. Ask the Libyans, the Iraqis, the Afganis, the Serbs, the Vietnamese, the Cubans etc. etc. It's the price to pay for being a world bully. I am not making a value judgement here, I am just calling it like it is, but I am myself OOT here, so I won't say anymore respecting the topic at hand and the forums.

 

[dba7dba]

Globalization is a race to the bottom, and nobody seems to understand that while the 3rd world rises up, the 1st world inevitably must slide down.

You left out a crucial fact.

The 1st world may slide down but not the top 0.5% of the 1st world. In fact the wealth of top 0.5% in the 1st world will keep doubling every few years because of the rise of the 3rd world.

It happens because of more demand (from 3rd world) for goods made by the companies the top 0.5% in 1st world own while the cost for making them will stay low, thanks to outsourcing manufacturing (and increasingly service industry) to the 3rd world.

Awesome deal I must say, for those in the top 0.5% in the 1st world.

 

[blow45]

As threads progress, sometimes the conversation evolves. You added nothing of value in your post.

Yeah while talking about Japan's protectionism of their agricultural production really adds to the topic of discussion... cause everyone here who clicks on this thread via the main page wants to hear about Japan's agriculture.

Let's "evolve" the thread to encompass kamikaze pilots, kabuki theatre, zen Buddhism, sushi and whale hunting too...

 

[wizard]

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Globalization is a race to the bottom, and nobody seems to understand that while the 3rd world rises up, the 1st world inevitably must slide down.

It's not a zero sum game. Western economies will increasingly shift toward higher skilled professions as the BRIC countries take over manufacturing and mid level white collar work. The U.S. must step up its educational training in order for its many low paid service workers to move up the ladder, though.

Are you not familiar with the concept of an idiot? Seriously there is only so much you can do with some people. This whole idea that education can solve all our problems is bogus. Some people are beyond education and others like Steve J. Find a different path.

Beyond that you can't really have an economy without some sort of manufacturing. You know it is half of the goods and services phrase.

In any event Apples problems are age old and directly related to relying on a single supplier. Hopefully they can get this material they need manufactured in another plant. If not Apple will end up having some pretty bad quarters.

 

[nastebu]

Sorry, there is no comparison. US agriculture does not have anywhere near the level of protectionism as Japanese agriculture. Nor does any US industry, with the exception of defense contractors.

And what makes you think a small farmer is somehow superior to DelMonte?

As for who subsidizes agriculture more, I'm unsure, but it's probably close. From the wikipedia article: "A Canadian report claimed that for every dollar U.S. farmers earn, 62 cents comes from some form of government, with total aid in 2009 from all levels of government adding up to $180.8 billion." What's the comparative level in Japan?

The small farmer vs. delMonte is an interesting question. It's a question of values. DelMonte produces cheaper, lower quality food. Small farmers produce more expensive, generally higher quality food. So which you subsidize is a question of social policy.

In Japan, there are lots of small farmers who have kept their farms, and a very strong bias to eat locally. This means that food is of better quality and supports local communities. In the US, massive supermarket chains have tended to dominate food retail, and since they rely on national distribution, food tends to be very processed and have an enormous carbon footprint. It also means lots of mcJobs instead of local businesses.

I prefer the small farmer.

 

[iliketyla]

Yeah while talking about Japan's protectionism of their agricultural production really adds to the topic of discussion... cause everyone here who clicks on this thread via the main page wants to hear about Japan's agriculture.

Let's "evolve" the thread to encompass kamikaze pilots, kabuki theatre, zen Buddhism, sushi and whale hunting too...

Well the beauty of this is that you don't make the rules. So if a topic changes and people want to talk about, simply disregard the comments.

 

[wizard]

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Always looking at the negative side of things. Maybe a little radiation will lead to higher power densities.

These jokes just aren't funny.

It's too early for this. Maybe it will never not be too early for this, but please have some sensitivity for people who have friends/family/are themselves in affected areas.

Actually, Japanese companies manufacturing products in Japan is extremely inefficient due to the high cost, and due primarily to protectionism and racial pride. The Japanese domestic market is known for being highly inefficient.

Do you have any evidence for this?

Who is joking here?

A better battery is highly improbable. However if you only look at the dark side of an event you pass up any chance of benefitting from it. Certainly it isn't good to have your nukes melt down but this is also a learning opportunity. That is if people can look at what is happening objectively. If all you see is people getting irradiated then you aren't looking at the bigger picture.

 

[coder12]

gynecologist??

Ummmmm... haha, possibly?

 

[JAT]

Secondly, the term "3rd world" and "1st world" is offensive. The proper term is developing and developed world.

Yawn. In 5 years, those terms will be "offensive". Then we'll have to call them "mature" and "growing". Then, 20 years later that will be offensive, and we'll have to call them "service oriented" and "industry oriented". Then, 20 years later that will be offensive, and we'll have to call them "1st world" and "3rd world" again. Get off your PC high horse and deal with life straight on instead of hiding behind semantics.

*note: PC does not always refer to computers.

 

[LeighAnna Jones]

Thousands of people are dying in Japan and all you idiots care about is iPod Touch batteries? That's kind of... selfish.

 

[iliketyla]

Thousands of people are dying in Japan and all you idiots care about is iPod Touch batteries? That's kind of... selfish.

Here we go again....

Please read the entire thread.

 

[Popeye206]

The plant with mass rates of suicide is in China.

Ah... dude... yes they have had suicides there... 11 attempts in 5 months out of 300,000 employees.

You do realize this is lower than the US actual suicide rate of 11 per-100K per-year.

Sorry... but I hate it when people and the press use "drama" to make a point and in reality... the Chinese workers at Foxconn are no different than your average US citizen.

 

[nastebu]

Who is joking here?

A better battery is highly improbable. However if you only look at the dark side of an event you pass up any chance of benefitting from it. Certainly it isn't good to have your nukes melt down but this is also a learning opportunity. That is if people can look at what is happening objectively. If all you see is people getting irradiated then you aren't looking at the bigger picture.

I assume the "maybe the radiation will produce higher density batteries" comment was meant as a joke.

As for the rest of what you said, no doubt.

 

[iliketyla]

Ah... dude... yes they have had suicides there... 11 attempts in 5 months out of 300,000 employees.

You do realize this is lower than the US actual suicide rate of 11 per-100K per-year.

Sorry... but I hate it when people and the press use "drama" to make a point and in reality... the Chinese workers at Foxconn are no different than your average US citizen.

Link please.

 

[clank72]

Hard for me, even as an Apple fan, to weep too much for a company that chooses to do business overseas isntead of here in America, employing Americans.

No way. With the cost of employment here in America these Apple products would not be possible. We should be thankful.

 

[NutsNGum]

I say, shoot 'em all and let God sort 'em out!

 

[mrelwood]

while the 3rd world rises up, the 1st world inevitably must slide down.

I think that's only good. It's ridiculous how much we have everything. Wouldn't mind sharing my job and paycheck. And lifestyle for that matter. The only problem is the greedy ones that will try to hold on to things they really don't need.

Maybe Japan was a stretch, but the part about China is absolutely not an overstatement.

Or perhaps the entire debacle at Foxconn has fallen on deaf ears?

Well, the percentage of suicides is a lot smaller in Foxconn employees than in the US population. So, basically Foxconn employees are happier than US citizen.

 

[Popeye206]

Link please.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

http://www.szcpost.com/2010/05/foxconn-suicides.html

 

[iScott428]

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You really don't know what you are talking about. Many American businesses are world class. That doesn't include 2/3rds of the American auto industry sadly but GM made a management decision to sell crap and Chrysler never did sell anything of quality. However just because one industry is less than stellar it doesn't mean all are.

I'm not sure where you are on this planet but where I'm at we export a great deal of stuff to the rest of the world. Some of it even consumer level.

A wise person shops with an open mind. You seem to have closed yours and thus send all your dollars over seas. Sad really.

I Kind of have to disagree, then I agree with you as well that many in fact most American Businesses are great companies. Both Chrysler and GM have made and will make great vehicles in the future. And yes we do export a crap ton of products over seas, some good others not. Also I shop with the most open mind available, looking for the best quality products, at the best prices, with the best function and then form and too many other variable to list off.

And yes this is so far off topic its amazing where tangents can go.

 

[GoodWatch]

Yes, very unfortunate. Whilst millions are fighting for food every day, we are worrying about the battery in a superfluous gadget. Count your blessings, not the number of gadgets.

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

The plant with mass rates of suicide is in China.

wired had an article about this a couple months back. The suicide rate at the Foxconn plant is lower than the suicide rate in the rest of the Chinese population (possibly lower even than in the US, I can't remember the article exactly).
So basically, as sad as the suicides are that happened, the "mass rates of suicide" is/was a media beat-up. As is, quite possibly, this whole article come to think of it. Someone looking to bring down the price of Apple shares, a so-called shortage of some obscure component that of course can only be manufactured in Japan is a good way to do it

 

[macMan228]

In 5-10 years the iPod will become extinct. By then the touch will be hanging on a thin wire.

I really do see this happening, it'll give way to the smartphone revolution. But, arguably, the pre-teen market will need it...

 

[zap2]

Plus there is a plethora of unknown pollution aspects of producing tech products. Tree hugger's would freak

Very true sir.

Do you two have any hard data to suggest this is actually true in this case? Considering this company is planning to expand to the US and China, what evidence do you have suggest that its dangerous?